San Francisco Department of Public Health Urges Mpox Awareness and Vaccination Before Folsom Street Fair Events

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Department of Public Heath (SFDPH) urges awareness of mpox as the Folsom Street Fair and associated events quickly approach. The two-dose mpox vaccine is strongly encouraged for people at risk. 

As of August 24, in 2026, over 70 mpox cases have been reported in San Francisco, of which 8 were clade I mpox cases. SFDPH reported the first confirmed clade I mpox case in San Francisco in April 2026. Currently all confirmed clade I mpox cases in the City have been associated with international travel. Anyone can get mpox, but most reported cases in the United States are among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender persons who have sex with men.  

“While we are in a much better place than we were during the 2022 outbreak, mpox infections can and still do occur,” said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip. “SFDPH wants people to have a fun and healthy Folsom Street Fair weekend. We strongly encourage people at risk of getting mpox to know the symptoms and be fully vaccinated. There is still time to start the vaccine series before the events.”

About Mpox

There are two types of mpox, clade I and clade II. The 2022 outbreak in the United States and California was caused by clade II mpox.  Since November 2024, there have been over 40 cases of clade I mpox in the United States. Almost all have been associated with travel to regions in Central or Eastern Africa or, more recently, travel to Western Europe where clade I mpox is now circulating. In the United States, both clade I and clade II mpox are spread primarily through close skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual activity.  

Both clade I and clade II mpox cause similar symptoms, which may start with flu-like symptoms such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue; followed by a rash that looks like pimples or blisters and can be painful. People who have a rash that looks like mpox should contact their healthcare provider to get tested and talk to their partners so they can take steps to prevent the spread of infection. 

Clade I mpox may cause more severe symptoms than clade II mpox.

Mpox Vaccine

SFDPH strongly encourages people at risk for mpox to receive both doses of the mpox vaccine. This includes people at risk who plan on traveling to places where clade I mpox has been reported, including Europe and Africa.  

“The mpox vaccine remains the best protection against both clade I and clade II mpox. It significantly reduces the chance of infection, and it helps prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death among people diagnosed with mpox,” said Dr. Julia Janssen, SFDPH STI/HIV Branch Deputy Director. “The mpox vaccine is safe for people who are immunocompromised, including people living with HIV and people taking immune suppressing medications.”

People can receive their second dose of the mpox vaccine if it has been at least 28 days since their first dose. There is no need to restart the two-dose series if it has been over 28 days since the first dose. Booster doses are not recommended at this time for people who have completed the two-dose series. In addition, mpox vaccination is not currently recommended for people who have previously been infected.  

No vaccine is 100% effective, and people who are fully vaccinated against mpox should still be aware of mpox symptoms and get tested if they have them.  

In addition to getting vaccinated, condom use and reducing the number of sexual partners can further decrease the risk of mpox infection.  

The mpox vaccine is available through healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Those who do not have insurance or are having difficulty accessing care may visit the locations listed at sf.gov/mpox.